Perpetrator’s DNA match emerged after his robbery conviction

Friday

Jan 31, 2014 at 10:00 PM

Andy Kravetz of the Journal Star

PEORIA — For sexually assaulting a woman more than a decade ago, a Peoria man was sentenced Friday to 50 years in prison.

But Clarence L. Triplett wouldn’t begin serving that sentence until 2018 when he is projected to finish a 20-year term for armed robbery. Given that, the 34-year-old Triplett, barring a successful appeal, will likely be about 80 by the time he is eligible for parole.

In November, Triplett pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual assault in connection with the October 2002 incident involving a 17-year-old woman. The plea called for a sentencing range of 16 to 55 years behind bars. Without the plea, he would have faced 21 to 70 years in prison.

The victim was walking in South Peoria with a friend when an unknown man approached them. The friend left the victim, and at some point, about 8:30 p.m., the victim was forced to have sex with Triplett behind a house. He allegedly was armed with a handgun, a factor that enhanced his sentencing range.

The case was dormant until 2011 when Triplett’s DNA came out as a match for DNA collected at the time. The DNA was collected as part of his conviction for armed robbery. He had been accused of robbing stores in the 700 block of Northeast Perry Avenue and the 2400 block of West Lincoln Avenue within 20 minutes.

He must serve at least 85 percent of the new sentence, which is about 42½ years. Chief Peoria County Judge Steve Kouri also imposed a three-year term of supervised release.

Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @andykravetz.